Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO) is a non-profit regional law firm that provide high quality legal assistance in civil matters to help eligible low-income individuals and groups in western Ohio achieve self reliance, and equal justice and economic opportunity.
LAWO Special Projects Outreach Office Now Open at Lucas County Department of Job and Family Services
After a nearly two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, LAWO’s Special Projects Outreach Office has returned to the Lucas County Department of Job and Family Services and is welcoming prospective clients. Located on the first floor of JFS’s new location inside of the Lucas County Shared Services complex at 3737 West Sylvania Avenue, this on-site legal aid office can assist eligible families and individuals in need of free assistance for bankruptcy, divorce, public benefits issues, probate matters, housing disputes, and consumer issues.
The office is currently up and running five days a week, Monday through Friday, and is operated by LAWO’s passionate and experienced legal professionals, including Monica Yvonne, LAWO Supervising Attorney and manager of the project; Kara Ford, LAWO Senior Attorney, who also serves as co-chair of the statewide Healthcare and Public Benefits Taskforce; and Laura Vogtsberger de Rivera, LAWO Special Projects Paralegal, who keeps the office running smoothly. The team is pictured below, left to right, Monica Yvonne, Kara Ford, and Laura Vogtsberger.
Supervising Attorney Monica Yvonne says on-site community locations for outreach initiatives like this are crucial. “We are able to meet the clients where they are, and provide valuable legal services on-site at JFS,” she said. “It makes a difference and eliminates barriers for folks who otherwise might have difficulties getting to our downtown offices.”
The project is funded and supported by an LAWO grant from Lucas County Job and Family Services to support client who are TANF and Title XX eligible. Walk-in clients are welcome but must meet certain criteria under the grant to receive assistance. LAWO’s friendly Special Projects team can guide potential clients through the in-take process, see if they qualify for assistance, and answer any questions.
The LAWO Special Projects Outreach Office is located on the first floor of the Lucas County Department of Jobs and Family Services, located at 3737 West Sylvania Avenue; open Monday through Friday. To apply by phone, call the Legal Aid Line at 419-724-0560 or visit us online.
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Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc.